AMA takes inventory of gas-emitting installations

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) says it has completed the exercise of taking inventory of all greenhouse gas- emitting installations in the metropolis as part of efforts to reduce the unhealthy emissions in the city.

The sources of greenhouse gas included illegal dumpsites, lack of energy-efficient buildings and smoking vehicles.

The exercise was in line with measures by the assembly to mitigate climate change and perform its part of the Paris Agreement of keeping global temperatures from warming above two degrees celsius.

Mayor

The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of the AMA, Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, made this known in Accra last Tuesday at the C40 African Adaptation Forum, an event that provides city authorities with the platform to collaborate effectively, share knowledge and drive sustainable actions on climate change.

Besides Accra, participants also came from Lagos (Nigeria), Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), Cairo (Egypt), Dakar (Senegal), Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban (South Africa) and Nairobi (Kenya).

According to the mayor of Accra, the assembly’s response actions included promoting green and open space development, reviewing strategies in waste management, educating the public on the use of renewable energy and the issuing of building permits to only buildings which were energy efficient.

“Already, the closure of 70 per cent of the 42 dumpsites in the city is contributing to the reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions in the city,” he said.

Mr Sowah added that the assembly had also reviewed the city’s transportation and mobility structures for emission reductions.

C40 Cities

C40 is a network of city authorities committed to addressing climate change issues, while aiming at improving the health, well-being and economic opportunities of its citizens.

The annual event connects more than 90 of the world’s greatest cities, representing over 650 million people.

Partnership

The C40 Regional Director for Africa, Mr Hasting Chikoko, indicated at the forum that climate change could be best tackled by strengthening partnerships with the private sector, as well as with other countries.

He called for the contextualisation of objectives of the Paris Agreement to make it easier to achieve them.

Inadequate data

For his part, the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, expressed worry over the country’s inability to keep accurate data, saying that had resulted in the failure to mobilise funds to address climate change issues.

He further advised against the encroachment of land close to water bodies and waterways, because according to him, those illegal activities contributed to the negative impacts of climate change.

“Another issue to look at is the burning of e-waste in areas such as Agbogbloshie where a group of young men burn electronic waste in order to extract metal ore for sale,” he said.

“My outfit, however, is ready to collaborate with relevant agencies to address such activities to reduce the toxic emissions,” he added.